“Our squadron’s mission is to provide premier maintenance training to the warfighters in all major commands, sister services and allied nations in airlift, special operations, tanker support and aerospace ground equipment.” – Technical Sergeant Calvin Navarro, EMT Instructor, 373 TRS Det 23

Minot AFB encompasses approximately 5,400 Active Duty Military personnel. Within this group, Airmen fall into wings, squadrons, specialties and missions. Every Airman’s job is essential to the base, but some may not realize the small tenant training unit also housed within the base. The 373rd Training Squadron, which serves as the 23rd Detachment out of Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas, is an integral part of the Minot’s structure for training missile maintenance Airmen.

It is from this specific detachment that Staff Sergeant Kevynn Brand and Staff Sergeant Coy Glidewell both hail. These two instructors and trainers have excelled in their leadership, dedication and knowledge. These standout leaders have excelled so much that the senior-most ranking members of the 23rd Detachment here at Minot AFB, MSgt Garrett Jones and TSgt Calvin Navarro, reached out specifically to the Northern Sentry about highlighting these dedicated Airmen. According to TSgt Navarro, “SSgt Brand and SSgt Glidewell have gone above and beyond in ensuring our continued success.”

Both of these Airmen’s designated job is to train the trainers who will ultimately develop the new Airmen coming into Missile Maintenance specialties. They have been reported as doing amazing things for their units that well exceed the average expectations. SSgt Brand, for example, notably created an Instructor Handbook for new Instructors. While the information already existed in an Air Force Instruction, according to SSgt Brand, it was clunky and difficult to find information when needed. So he decided to create a paper guidebook for instructors to find answers and solutions more easily. He said, “A lot of stuff is digital. I have found it alot easier to have a real answer on-hand with a real binder in-hand.”

SSgt Glidewell brought a whole lot of experience and expertise to the unit as well as a no complaining attitude. His motto is: “Complaining is not going to get you anywhere. Get it done, do it right and you get far.” SSgt Glidewell was recently coined by General Thomas Bussiere, Commander of the Air Force Global Strike Command. When asked why he thought he was selected as the one honored he lightheartedly, yet confidently, stated, “Because I do a good job and they recognize hard work.”

Both non-commissioned officers work in sections within the Training Unit, working with specific types of specialties when it comes to the intricacies of missile maintenance. SSgt Glidewell broke it down in simplistic terms: X1= the electronics side, X2= the ICBMS themselves, X3= the facilities that house the missiles. Each of these subsets require specialized training for the missile maintenance Airmen and their Instructors. Both mentioned the importance of getting to know the learning styles and attitudes of each trainer so that they could better assist them in helping them to effectively communicate when they themselves instruct others.

Both love to be at Minot and want to continue to stay here as long as they can. SSgt Brand has some advice for newbies to Minot or those who have undergone the Minot Meltdown. “Don’t let rumors of Minot let you think badly or get your down. Learn it before you make a judgment about it”

It has been said that those who can’t do, teach, but those who teach can only do so from learning the trade themselves. It is people like SSgt Brand and SSgt Glidewell, whose dedicated, work ethic and genuine care are appreciated and in the Air Force and on this base specifically in the Missile Maintenance community. Thanks for all your hard work!

“These two individuals have some of the best systems knowledge in our detachment and continue to push out some of the highest qualified technicians in support of the 91st MW mission.”- TSgt Navarro